3 Ancient Beauty Secrets You’ve Never Heard Of

Here are some ancient beauty treatments that are still in use today.  Believe it or not, a number of the active ingredients found in many beauty products have been used since antiquity.

The main differences are that:

1.  The key ingredients in these new formulas are diluted with a number of filler substances.

2.  There is no disclosure as far as where the individual ingredients of these products are sourced from.

3.  Only 70% of the ingredients need to be organic to fulfill the FDA’s “Organic” requirement.

4.  Most of these "natural" products actually contain a number of potentially toxic chemicals, since there isn't any government regulations on the word "natural".

Here are some potentially toxic ingredients that you should be on the lookout for in your favorite "natural" and "organic" lotions and shampoos:

1.  Parabens – An extremely common preservative that has been shown to disrupt estrogen production and has also been detected in malignant tumors.

2.  Phthalates – Usually hidden under the word “fragrance”, a known hormone disruptor linked to reproductive defects

3.  Benzoyl Peroxide – Known skin and eye irritant; linked to the promotion of tumor growth.

4.  Triclosan – According to the EPA, this is a serious pesticide.  

In addition to the extravagant and expensive practice of bathing in milk and honey, women of Egyptian royalty used a variety of natural creams, masks, and exfoliants. Below is a skin scrub formula that was recently discovered on a piece of medical papyrus dating back to the court of Thuthmosis III (1425 BC). Someone was so enamored by this prized exfoliant formula that they asked for its recipe to be buried with them – if that’s not a rave review, I don’t know what is!

Ingredients:

1 part Honey
1 part Natron – naturally occurring mixture of alkaline sodium salts (or use baking soda as a substitute)
1 part Lower Egyptian Salt – (use sea salt)

In addition to the above ingredients, essential oils were most likely added to this base to give it a pleasant aroma and further medicinal qualities. Frankincense and myrrh essential oils were treasured in Ancient Egypt and were likely used in formulas like this. Just a few drops will do!

Making the Scrub:

Grind all of the ingredients together thoroughly, let set for 20 minutes and apply when ready. This scrub would have been rubbed onto the skin and left on for a few minutes, before being washed off with warm water. Remember, always try homemade treatments like this on a tiny patch of skin first to make sure you don’t have any allergic reaction to them.

#2 - Maya Hair and Scalp Fortification Wrap - While we were in Lake Atitlan, I couldn’t help but notice how strong and shiny the local women’s hair was – and I’m not the type to notice this kind of thing. I didn’t realize the Maya had a secret formula that gave their locks such vibrance!

This world renowned Maya hair therapy is the epitome of DIY beauty care. Come to think of it, I have all the necessary ingredients for this nourishing Mesoamerican formula sitting in my kitchen right now. Chances are, you do too!

Ingredients:

1/2 Avocado
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 Banana
1 Egg Yolk

Making the Wrap:

In a small mixing bowl, whip all ingredients together until they form a batter. Massage the mixture into the hair and cover it using either a shower cap or other moisture resistant wrap. Let it sit for an hour, and rinse using your shampoo of choice. For longer hair, use a whole avocado and banana.

#3 - Ayurvedic Skin Toner (for oily or acne-prone skin) - Some of the remedies we dig up from antiquity are pretty bizarre, but others like the skin toner below just make sense. Examine the three ingredients that make up this powerful skin mask – each one of them packs a medicinal wallop.

Goat yogurt, the base of this recipe, is back in mainstream use due to its pro-biotic potency and nutrient density. The peppery turmeric is a strong anti-inflammatory that is high in anti-oxidants – currently praised by natural and clinical doctors as a super-herb (particularly for it’s favorable effects on cancer cells). And the fragrant sandalwood tree has a long documented history of use in beauty formulas, both for its delightful aroma and its desirable toning effect on the skin.

(In addition to balancing out the oils on the skin, this toner has antiseptic and antibacterial qualities and functions as a gentle cleanser.)

Ingredients:

3 tsp goat yogurt
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp sandalwood powder

Making the Mask:

Simply mix all the ingredients together and let stand for 1/2 an hour in the refrigerator. Apply it to your face and wash off with warm water after 10 minutes.

Have FUN!

For More Information:

http://www.thesacredscience.com/blog1/three-ancient-beauty-secrets-youve-never-heard-of